The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-10-20
THE DEADLY SAW MILL! !!
James L. Erwin and Kent Evans
Killed!

James L. Erwin and Kent Evans
About noon on Wednesday Of last
week this community was startled by
a telegram to Mr.. G. G. James, from
Cove Station, announcing the explo-
sion Of a saw-mill owned by himself
and James L. Erwin. In company
with the Undertaken, Fl. III. Marsh
man, we went to the scene Of the hor-
ror, to bring the remains of Mr.. Err
vim to town. A brisk drive Of an hour
and half brought US to the residence
of Mr.. Jehiel Pratt, where the re-
mains had been taken. While Marsh
man was putting the remains in shape
for removal, we went, in company
with Mr.. Wesley Givens, to the loca-
ton Of the mill, in piece of timber
perhaps a quarter Of a mile from
Pratt's house. The surroundings
showed the result Of the explosion in
way to inspire awe, and cause men
to speak in subdued tones, as though
there was yet danger in the very air.
The mill, or rather what was left Of
it, was in the midst of an awful wreck
Of disarranged boards, timbers and
rubbish.
The mill was running at the time of
the explosion. Mr.. Erwin and Mr..
W. B. Pratt were standing but few
feet away from the boiler, and near
the carriage which ran the logs against
the saw. A log had just been run
through, and the slab taken off. The
''off-bearers' were taking away the
slab, and the running-gears being ar
ranged for saving the next round,
when the explosion occurred. A large
portion of the boiler'struck the ground
just in front Of Erwin and Pratt, then
bounded, catching Erwin above the
waist, knocking him back against the
ends of some logs near by, tearing all
the upper portion of the body, includ-
ing the head, into an unrecognizable
mass. His beard was thrown over on
to one arm, and only portions Of the
head distinguishable.
Kent. Evans, son Of Andrew Evans,
and grandson Of Gabriel Evans, an
old and we'll known citizen Of that
neighborhood, was the fireman of the
engine, and just previous to the explo-
sion had been seen to step aside from
the boiler, then back toward it again.
When found he was some twenty to
thirty yards from the boiler, badly
bruised and broken, with a hole
through his head, looking as though
an iron bolt had penetrated it. His
body was not dismembered like that
of Erwin. Sam Rowland, one of the
workmen, was bruised some in the
arm and ankle. Frank Garrett was
slightly burned. jeff Garrett was in
jured in the back. w. B. Pratt, in
jured in the side and shoulder Mr..
Pratt was leaning upon cane, when
the boiler struck Erwin, breaking the
cane in Pratt's hand. His escape
seemed miraculous. The pieces Of
the wreck were scattered about ra-
dius of perhaps seventy-five yards
from the stand of the engine.
No cause can be assigned for this
terrible affair. The engine had but
recently been overhauied at Gray's
Shops in this place, and was doubtless
in good condition, besides which we
do not think there was man in the
State who knew more about mill en-
gines than Mr.. Erwin. There had
been scarcity Of good water, but at
the time Of the explosion there was
water at hand, and the engine seemed
to be supplied and running all right.
Mr.. Evans, one Of the men killed,
was a young man who had just attain
ed his majority. He had been with
the mill for some time.
Mr.. Erwin was well known in this
community. He was of quiet, gen.
tlemanly disposition, good business
man, and a splendid citizen. For
many years he had been in business in
this County, having been in the coal
business with w. N. Miller, for
time, and after leaving this firm he
had been almost constantly in the
mill business. James L. Erwin was
man whom we never expected to meet
death in the manner he did. But
there seems to be fatality about
saw-mill engines that no mechanic
can control. There has been num-
ber of explosions in this County, and
all while the engines were in charge
of thoroughly experienced engineers.
This is a sad blow to Mr.. Ervin's
family, one of the very best
families in this place. Of course, the
sympathy Of the whole community is
theirs, but what can human sympathy
avail under the circumstances. What
can words Of coincidence avail where
the strong man, the loving husband,
the tender parent went forth to his
work in the morning, and in the even
ing Of the next day was brought back
mangled corpse. Only those who
have undergone such experience can
understand it in the fullness Of its
agony.
The remains Of Mr.. Erwin were pre-
pared by Marshman & Co., pleced in a
beautiful oasket, and taken to the res